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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Wie likely to skip LPGA in Hawai'i

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Michelle Wie

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Kimberly Kim

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Michelle Wie is not expected to play in Hawai'i's two LPGA tournaments next month while she reportedly receives therapy on her injured left wrist.

Wie, 17, will likely make her LPGA season debut at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. She was among seven pros and six amateurs invited Monday to the first LPGA Tour major of the year at Rancho Mirage, Calif., March 29 to April 1.

U.S. Women's Amateur champion Kimberly Kim, who grew up on the Big Island and now lives outside Phoenix, was one of the amateurs receiving an invitation to the Kraft Nabisco.

Wie, a Punahou senior, missed the cut at the Sony Open in Hawai'i while playing with an injured left wrist that was tightly wrapped. She is not expected to play in the LPGA's SBS Open at Turtle Bay or the Fields Open in Hawai'i next month.

Kim, 15, received exemptions to play in both Hawai'i tournaments.

Wie will be making her fifth appearance at the Kraft Nabisco, according to tournament director Terry Wilcox, although that was not immediately confirmed by her family.

Wie had a chance to win the Kraft Nabisco last year until her eagle chip went 10 feet by the cup on the par-5 18th, and she missed a birdie putt that would have put her in a playoff with Karrie Webb and Lorena Ochoa. Wie has played the Kraft Nabisco every season since 2003, when she played in the final group at age 13 and tied for ninth.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.